The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) uses a drop-in pitch for their cricket season where India would face Australia in a boxing day test match in the fourth test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The series is currently drawn at 1-1 after India won in Perth, lost in Adelaide and then Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep's epic 11th wicket partnership helped them draw in Brisbane. With India needing to win the next test matches to stay alive in the contention for a place in the World Test Championship final, this test will be a mouthwatering contest.
In this last three tests at this venue, India have not lost a test match. The men in blue drawn the test match in 2014 and then won by 137 runs in 2018 and continued their winning run in 2020 by winning the match by 8 wickets.
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Why do MCG uses drop-in pitches?
Australia uses the big Melbourne Cricket Ground for other sports like Rugby or AFL throughout the year and also hosts concerts as well. Since during these events and sports, the cricket pitches needed to be removed from the ground, they have to use drop-in pitches at this ground.
Which company helps in installation of drop-in pitches?
Adelaide Turf International company helps in installation of drop-in pitches at the ground. They use their own technology "StrathAyr specialised technology" to first take the whole square (a square of multiple pitches) from outside the ground and then drop then inside the stadium. Adelaide Turf International were the company who helped ICC use the drop-in pitches in New York during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Which are the other places where drop-in pitches get used?
- MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), Melbourne, Australia
- Optus Stadium, Perth, Australia
- Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
- Spotless Stadium, Sydney, Australia
- North Sydney Oval, Sydney, Australia
- ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia
- Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
- Otago Rugby Football Club, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
- Lords Ground, Marylebone Cricket Club, UK
Who do they install the pitch?